How to Avoid Taxi Scams at Santiago Airport in Chile Safely and Cheaply

As long as you travel to Chile 🇨🇱, whether you go to the Atacama Desert 🏜️, Torres del Paine ⛰️, Easter Island 🗿, or even Antarctica 🐧, you will definitely need to transfer in Santiago, and taking a taxi is a must.

[Adorable R] Here’s a practical and efficient detail for hailing an UBER at the airport. Domestic flights are at T1, and international flights are at T2. I’ll mainly talk about how to efficiently hail an UBER after arriving on a domestic flight while avoiding touts and scams; the process for international arrivals is similar.

[Smack R] After picking up your luggage at the domestic arrival gate, don’t rush. Stay calm, then walk straight to the left 👈 (where there are no people). Walk about 30 meters, and in a hidden, inconspicuous corner on the right (very close to the right wall), you’ll find two elevators. Take the elevator to the 3rd floor, and you’ll arrive at the domestic departure level.

[Drinking Milk Tea R] Once you reach the departure level, take out your phone and calmly call an UBER. After getting a car, quickly send a message to the driver with a “rendezvous” code. Just say the key phrases, like ‘Hola, departure, 3rd floor, which gate?’. Experienced drivers will understand immediately, and they usually say Gate 3 (I don’t know why they prefer this one). In any case, follow the driver’s instructions and wait at the designated gate.

[Shy R] Also, note that there are two layers of doors. When you’re calling the car, you’re inside. After getting the car, you can wait inside the inner layer of the door the driver specified. When you see the driver is almost there (like 1 minute away), observe the surroundings and then go out. This ensures safety.

[Wow R] Following this route, you can avoid all unpleasant experiences, such as encountering airport scammers, being harassed by touts, and running into too many tourists. It’s very efficient.

[Embarrassed R] Additionally, if you’re leaving Santiago and the UBER driver takes you to the parking lot 🅿️ (especially for T2 international departures), don’t be surprised. This is a common practice. You just need to take the elevator and cross the road yourself. Some drivers are cautious.

Wishing everyone a pleasant journey [Blowing Kisses R][Blowing Kisses R][Blowing Kisses R]